Blueberry plant named &#39;ridley1702&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley1702’ is provided ‘Ridley1702’ is a commercial variety intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing markets and as a home garden plant. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘Ridley1403’ and ‘Ridley1812’, which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/979,329 filed on Feb. 20, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein.

Latin name of the genus, and species:

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination:

The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Ridley1702’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley1702’. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley1702’ is intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid variety is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding program of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley1812’ (not patented). The new variety was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2014 in a commercial field plantation environment at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria were a combination of strong plant growth vigor, upright/whippy plant growth habit, mid-season time of flowering and fruit ripening, ease of harvest, very large fruit, good flavor, very firm, very crunchy, loose clusters and very good bloom.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial farms at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by cutting propagation since 2014 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium hybrid variety is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley1812’ (not patented). The seed parent was produced from a seedling selection of ‘S02-25-05’ (not patented) and pollen parent ‘S03-08-02’ (not patented). The pollen parent was produced from a seedling selection of ‘S01-28-01’ (not patented) and pollen parent ‘S01-23-01’ (not patented).

Plants of the new variety differ from plants of the seed parent ‘Ridley1403’ primarily in bush structure being upright/whippy, larger fruit size, stronger bloom, firmer and crunchier berries and better suitability to machine harvest. Plants of the new variety differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘Ridley1812’ primarily in having an earlier season and larger fruit size with firmer and crunchier berries that are better suited to machine harvest.

The new blueberry variety was designated ‘Ridley1702’, and has been planted in replicated trials since 2017.

The new Vaccinium hybrid variety is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a controlled breeding program of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia from the controlled pollination in 2011 of seed parent ‘Ridley1403’ with pollen parent ‘Ridley1812’.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by softwood cutting propagation since 2014 at Lindendale, New South Wales has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

The new Vaccinium hybrid variety is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding program of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley1403’ with pollen parent ‘Ridley1812’. The new variety was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2014 in a commercial field plantation environment at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria were a combination of strong plant growth vigor, upright/whippy plant growth habit, mid-season time of flowering and fruit ripening, ease of harvest, very large fruit, good flavor, very firm, very crunchy, loose clusters and very good bloom.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial farms at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

The following characteristics of the new variety have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘Ridley1702’ as a new and distinct variety of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Upright/whippy growth habit     -   2. Strong plant vigor     -   3. High yield     -   4. Early season     -   5. Very crunchy     -   6. Very firm     -   7. Good (sweet) flavor     -   8. Loose clusters     -   9. Very good bloom     -   10. Very large size     -   11. Suitability to machine harvest

Plants of the new variety differ from plants of the seed parent ‘Ridley1403 primarily in bush structure being upright/whippy, larger fruit size, stronger bloom, firmer and crunchier berries and better suitability to machine harvest. Plants of the new variety differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘Ridley1812’ primarily in having an earlier season and larger fruit size with firmer and crunchier berries that are better suited to machine harvest.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by cutting propagation since 2014 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley1702’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley1702’, demonstrating the plant's upright/whippy growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley1702’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘Ridley1702’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley1702’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the leaves, fruit, new shoot and fruit cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley1702’.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of a vegetative shoot of the variety ‘Ridley1702’.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of fruit cross section of the variety ‘Ridley1702’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Ridley1702’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 1-2 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designations are from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, sixth edition.

-   Classification:     -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.         -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.         -   c. Species.—hybrid.         -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry. -   Parentage: Female Parent—‘Ridley1403’. Male Parent—‘Ridley1812’. -   Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for     shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing     markets and as a home garden plant.

PLANT

-   General:     -   -   Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘Ridley1403’. Male Parent —             ‘Ridley1812’.         -   Plant height.—1.4-1.8 m (1.68 m).         -   Plant width.—1-1.5 m (1.25 m).         -   Growth habit.—Upright/whippy.         -   Growth.—Strong.         -   Productivity.—5.3 kg/plant on 2-year old bushes.         -   Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is medium.         -   Twigginess.—Low to moderate.

STEM

-   General:     -   -   Suckering tendency.—Low; <5 canes/plant.         -   Mature cane color.—199D/197D.         -   Mature cane length.—1.2-1.6 m.         -   Mature cane width.—1.5-2.8 cm.         -   Bark texture.—Medium roughness (typical of species).         -   Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.         -   Internode length on strong, new shoots.—18-22 mm.         -   Fruiting wood.—To 15-16 cm in length.

FOLIAGE

-   General:     -   -   Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Medium.         -   Leaf color (top side).—146A/141A.         -   Leaf color (under side).—138B/C.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf margins.—Entire.         -   Undulation of margin.—Weak.         -   Leaf venation.—Reticulate.         -   Leaf apices.—Acute.         -   Leaf bases.—Obtuse.         -   Leaf length.—65-80 mm (73.1).         -   Leaf width.—33-38 mm (35.3).         -   Leaf length/width ratio.—1:1.97 to 1:2.11.         -   Leaf nectaries.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.         -   Cross sectional profile.—Flat.         -   Longitudinal profile.—Straight.         -   Attitude.—Semi-upright. -   Petioles:     -   -   Length.—3.5-6 mm (4.9).         -   Width.—2-2.5 mm (2.2).         -   Color.—144D/142C.

FLOWERS

-   General:     -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—˜Week 17-20 at Tabulam, NSW             Australia.         -   Time of 50% anthesis.—Week27-31 at Tabulam, NSW Australia.         -   Flower shape.—Urceolate.         -   Flower bud density.—7-10 buds/lateral.         -   Flower fragrance.—Weak (sweet smelling). -   Corolla:     -   -   Color.—White 155A/C.         -   Length.—8-10 mm.         -   Width.—9-11 mm.         -   Aperture width.—4-6 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Nil.         -   Corolla ridges.—Present.         -   Protrusion of stigma.—Yes (1-2 mm). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Length.—40 to 80 mm.         -   Diameter.—30-45 mm.         -   Length of peduncle.—30-35 mm.         -   Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.         -   Color of peduncle.—144C/145A.         -   Length of pedicel.—˜10-18 mm.         -   Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.         -   Color of pedicel.—144C/145A.         -   Number of flowers per cluster.—6-10 flowers/bud.         -   Flower cluster density.—Loose to Medium. -   Calyx (with sepals):     -   -   Diameter.—6-8 mm (6.9).         -   Color (sepals).—203B/C. -   Stamen:     -   -   Length.—7-9 mm.         -   Number per flower.—Approximately 10-12.         -   Filament color.—142C. -   Pistil:     -   -   Length.—10-13 mm.         -   Style length.—7-10 mm.         -   Ovary color (exterior).—146A/146B/144A. -   Anther:     -   -   Length .—4-5 mm.         -   Number.—Approximately 10-12.         -   Color.—163A/N167A. -   Pollen:     -   -   Abundance.—Medium-high.         -   Self-compatibility.—99% in self-pollination tests.

FRUIT

-   General:     -   -   Time of fruit ripening.—Week 24-29 (at Tabulam NSW,             Australia).         -   Time of 50% maturity.—Week 36-41 (at Tabulam, NSW,             Australia).         -   Fruit development period.—55-65 days (at Tabulam, NSW,             Australia).         -   Cluster density.—4-9 berries per bud.         -   Unripe fruit color.—144A/143A.         -   Ripe berry color.—203B/C.         -   Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.         -   Berry flesh color.—N165A/155C.         -   Berry weight.—Avg. 3.75 g.         -   Berry height from calyx to scar.—˜15 mm.         -   Berry diameter.—Avg. 20.9 mm.         -   Berry shape.—Oblate.         -   Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).         -   Sweetness when ripe.—Medium-high.         -   Firmness when ripe.—Very firm.         -   Acidity when ripe.—Low/medium.         -   Storage quality.—Good, lasted 6-8 weeks at 0-2 degrees             Celsius in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere             storage yet.         -   Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Very firm fruit             firmness and ease of picking/shakeability suited to machine             harvest.         -   Self-fruitfulness.—99% fruit set with own pollen in tests at             Lindendale, NSW Australia.         -   Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing             markets and as a home garden plant.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

TABLE 1 ‘Ridley1403’ Organ Context ‘Ridley1702’ ‘Ridley1812’ (US PP25, 432) Plant vigor strong Medium strong Plant growth habit Upright/whippy upright upright to semi-upright One-year- color green green green old shoot One-year- length of medium medium medium old shoot internode Leaf length long Long-very long long to very long Leaf width broad broad broad Leaf shape elliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf color of upper side green green green Leaf intensity of green medium medium medium color on upper side (varieties with green leaf color only) Leaf margin entire entire entire Flower bud anthocyanin weak weak weak coloration Flower shape of corolla urceolate urceolate urceolate Flower size of corolla tube medium medium medium to large Flower anthocyanin absent or absent or absent or coloration very weak very weak very weak of corolla tube Flower ridges on present present present corolla tube Fruit cluster density Medium-loose medium Medium to dense Unripe fruit intensity of light light light green color Fruit size Very large Large-very large very large Fruit shape in oblate oblate round longitudinal section Fruit attitude of sepals erect erect erect Fruit diameter of calyx basin large large to very large large Fruit depth of calyx basin deep Deep to very deep deep Fruit intensity of bloom Medium to strong medium medium Fruit color of skin Dark blue dark blue dark blue Fruit firmness very firm medium very firm Fruit sweetness Medium to high Medium to high high Fruit acidity Low to medium Medium to high low Time of vegetative bud burst medium medium Early to medium Time of beginning of flowering medium late Early to medium Time of beginning of fruit medium late Early to medium ripening 

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley1702’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 